By Chris Chatigny, Numismatist & Cataloger

For our Hong Kong Showcase Auction highlight we feature a coin that is a classic Chinese numismatic rarity. This coin represents one of a few attempts made by the Chinese Imperial government to institute a standard coinage system based on the Tael, while simultaneously circulating with the coinage system based on the foreign denomination of dollars (7 Mace 2 Candareens) and cents.

The Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio world coin team is very proud of the large range of collectible material and outstanding rarities to be offered in our April Hong Kong Showcase Auction. The Peking series of coinage is easily one of, if not the rarest of all Imperial era machine struck coin series and, although restrikes exist, they too are quite rare.

By Chris Chatigny, Numismatist & Cataloger

The Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio inaugural December Macau Showcase Auction is just two weeks away! For our preview this week we offer two for one — two separate lots that represent two stages in the development of a highly collectible series of Chinese Provincial coinage. Authorization to establish the Kwangtung mint was granted in 1887, implemented by Viceroy Chang Chi-Tung.

By Greg Cohen, Numismatist & Consignment Director, U.S. & World Coins

This week I have the pleasure of presenting lot 32483 of the inaugural Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio Macau auction, a modern Chinese rarity, one of only 300 pieces struck in the 5-ounce size in honor of Bi Gan, the Chinese god of Literature and Wealth. This piece is graded Proof-69 Ultra Cameo by NGC and is among the finest graded for the type.

By Chris Chatigny, Numismatist & Cataloger

This week Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio has another exceptional coin to share from our upcoming December Macau Showcase Auction. The auction catalog can be found online here. Offered as lot 32263 is an outstanding Kweichow Province “Auto Dollar” with an interesting story. During the tumultuous Warlords Era of China a group of generals and other military leaders ruled factions of militias. One such individual was Zhou Xicheng, who ruled Kweichow (Guizhou) Province from 1927 to 1929.

By Chris Chatigny, Numismatist & Cataloger

The Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio December Macau Showcase Auction is just over a month away and the catalog is now available online and can be viewed here. We have a lineup of impressive coins for our auction coinciding with this inaugural Macau Showcase Coin Show. One highlight is a Tuan Chi Jui “Peaceful Unification” Dollar in gold, a classic rarity found in our auction as lot 32143.

By Chris Chatigny, Numismatist & Cataloger

Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio is thrilled to preview an extreme rarity to be offered in our inaugural December 2014 Macau Showcase Auction. Described by the great Eduard Kann as “the scarcest of all Kiangnan coins and a rarity amongst all Chinese coins,” this 1899 50 Cents is most definitely a blockbuster. It was produced by the Nanking mint for Kiangnan Province (Kiangnan meaning “South of the River” with the river referenced being the Yangtze).

By Greg Cohen, Professional Numismatist & Consignment Director, U.S. & World Coins

One of the more popular series of modern Chinese coins is the Unicorn series of 1994-1996. These were offered in a range of denominations and in gold, platinum and silver. Kilo gold issues were struck in 1994 and 1996 and the latter had a tiny mintage of a mere 18 pieces. In our upcoming December Macau auction we offer serial number 1.